OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the potential benefit of a pine bark extract and antioxidant vitamin combination product in the treatment of migraine headache. BACKGROUND: This was an uncontrolled preliminary study to investigate the potential of an antioxidant formulation as therapy for migraine headache. METHODS: Twelve patients with a long-term history of migraine with and without aura who had failed to respond to multiple treatments with beta-blockers, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor agonists were selected for the study. They were treated with 10 capsules of an antioxidant formulation of 120 mg pine bark extract, 60 mg vitamin C, and 30 IU vitamin E in each capsule daily for 3 months. Following enrollment patients completed a migraine disability assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire to give a baseline measure of migraine impact on work, school, domestic, and social activities over the previous 3 months. Patients were then treated for 3 months with the antioxidant formulation while continuing to receive existing pharmacologic medications. A second MIDAS was given at the conclusion of the treatment period. RESULTS: There was a significant mean improvement in MIDAS score of 50.6% for the 3-month treatment period compared with the 3 months prior to baseline (P

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